Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In 1975—over a year before the Trans-Alaska Pipeline was completed—a symbolic first barrel of Prudhoe Bay crude oil was transported 800 miles to Valdez by dogsled. Dog musher Red Olson, his son Randy, and their Alaska sled dogs hauled the 400-pound barrel across Alaska in a custom-built sled, completing the journey in 49 days and arriving in Valdez on April 13. This rare footage captures a stop in Fairbanks in late March, near the midpoint of their historic trek.
The sled dog journey was sponsored by United Engines, Inc., Emerson GM Diesel, Detroit Diesel Allison, and the Fox Lions. As the team arrives and pulls to a stop on 2nd Avenue—famously known as Two Street—in Fairbanks, keep an eye out for the iconic First National Bank time and temperature sign, along with familiar businesses of the era including the Mecca Bar, Tiki Cove, Alaska Fur Factory, Hoyt's Jewelry, the Rousatabout bar, the Veriles store, and many others. Most of these business no longer exist, but some survive more than 50 years later! (Color/Silent/16mm film).
These clips are from AAF-10585 of the Rothman Collection held by the Alaska Film Archives, a unit of the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives Department in the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library, University of Alaska Fairbanks. For more information please contact the Alaska Film Archives.
The Alaska Film Archives appreciates your support. Your donation in any amount will help us continue important preservation work. Please visit the “About” section of our YouTube channel to learn how you can help today. Thank you! For more information please contact the Alaska Film Archives
In 1975—over a year before the Trans-Alaska Pipeline was completed—a symbolic first barrel of Prudhoe Bay crude oil was transported 800 miles to Valdez by dogsled. Dog musher Red Olson, his son Randy, and their Alaska sled dogs hauled the 400-pound barrel across Alaska in a custom-built sled, completing the journey in 49 days and arriving in Valdez on April 13. This rare footage captures a stop in Fairbanks in late March, near the midpoint of their historic trek.
The sled dog journey was sponsored by United Engines, Inc., Emerson GM Diesel, Detroit Diesel Allison, and the Fox Lions. As the team arrives and pulls to a stop on 2nd Avenue—famously known as Two Street—in Fairbanks, keep an eye out for the iconic First National Bank time and temperature sign, along with familiar businesses of the era including the Mecca Bar, Tiki Cove, Alaska Fur Factory, Hoyt's Jewelry, the Rousatabout bar, the Veriles store, and many others. Most of these business no longer exist, but some survive more than 50 years later! (Color/Silent/16mm film).
These clips are from AAF-10585 of the Rothman Collection held by the Alaska Film Archives, a unit of the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives Department in the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library, University of Alaska Fairbanks. For more information please contact the Alaska Film Archives.
The Alaska Film Archives appreciates your support. Your donation in any amount will help us continue important preservation work. Please visit the “About” section of our YouTube channel to learn how you can help today. Thank you! For more information please contact the Alaska Film Archives
